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The Pirate of the Mediterranean: A Tale of the Sea, a novel by William H. G. Kingston |
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Chapter 37 |
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_ CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN. When Zappa saw, by the overwhelming number of his enemies who poured into the fort, that he must perish or make good his retreat from the island, he ordered those of the _Sea Hawk's_ crew who were on shore to accompany him; and retreating from the fight, he left them below while he rushed up into Ada's tower, and gained the chamber where the terrified females were assembled. "Fond girl, I will not leave you to perish or to be branded as the pirate's mistress," he exclaimed, clasping Nina in his arms. "I will not quit you till I can place you in safety--come with me." "We will live or die together," murmured Nina, forgetting, in that moment of defeat and disaster, all the cruelty of which he had been guilty towards her. "Lady, your friends have gained the day," he continued, turning to Ada. "You have brought rain on my head, and you have your revenge--farewell." Miss Garden's heart beat quick with hope. The moment of her emancipation had at last arrived, and he whom she loved had come to her rescue. At the instant the pirate disappeared, a person rushed forward, and seizing her in his arms, exclaimed,--"Haste, signora, from hence, or destruction awaits us." She knew Paolo Montifalcone's voice; and believing that the pirate had intended to blow up the tower, she fancied that he had come to save her, nor attempted to struggle in his grasp. She shrieked out to Marianna to follow her, but the poor girl was so petrified with horror at the death of little Mila, which had just taken place, that she could not move, and in vain Ada implored the Italian to stop for her attendant. His only reply was--"It will be too late, and we shall be destroyed--on, on." He seemed to be endowed with strength almost superhuman; he gained the bottom of the steps, and rushing on, was soon among the body of the retreating crew of the _Sea Hawk_, who were following their captain. They all recognised Paolo, who was a favourite among them, and aided him in supporting his burden. "Oh where are you taking me to?" exclaimed Ada, when, too late, she heard the sounds of the strange voices round her, and found that she was descending the ravine. "To happiness and freedom," he answered passionately, and pressed her closer in his arms. Ada, with horror, saw that she was cruelly betrayed. She shrieked aloud, and struggled to get free; but he who bore her had pictured the only joy he could hope for in possessing her, and intense misery without her, and he could not bring himself to relinquish what he valued more than life itself. "Hear me, sweet Ada," he exclaimed, as he still bore her on. "He whom you loved is dead, and a heart devoted as mine, is alone worthy to occupy the place he held." Still Ada entreated him to have mercy on her, to take her back to her friends, who must even now be in the tower she had just quitted; but he was deaf to all her prayers. The gentle, timid Paolo had been sadly changed by the scenes he had witnessed, and the burning love to which, he had madly resigned his soul. She saw at length that all appeals to his generosity or better feelings were vain, and overcome with horror, she fainted. When they reached the beach, Zappa and Nina had already embarked; he placed Ada in another boat, with the rear-guard of the pirates. They were quickly alongside, and she was lifted on deck, still insensible, and, without the chief seeing her, Paolo carried her in his arms below. Instantly the brig was under weigh, and darting out of the harbour, was hotly engaged with the _Ypsilante_. Once on the open sea, the pirates breathed more freely, and sail after sail, notwithstanding the strength of the breeze, was let fall from the yards. The shot of the fort had already damaged their enemy, and now bringing their broadside to bear on her just before she kept away in chase, they raked her fore-and-aft, killing many of the people, and cutting away much of her rigging. The _Sea Hawk_ was celebrated for her speed, and the rigging of the _Ypsilante_ was much cut up, but her commanding officer was a gallant fellow, and crippled as he was, determined, if he could, not to lose sight of the enemy; and was soon after her, firing his bow-chasers with little or no effect, as the _Sea Hawk_ was rapidly running from them, firing her stern guns in return. Meantime the _Sea Hawk_ winged her rapid flight over the foaming waters. She had received but slight damage from the cannonade, opened on her by the _Ypsilante_, during the storming of the fort, and none after she got outside the harbour, so that the pirates were able to laugh at the efforts of her pursuer. Zappa having run the _Ypsilante_ out of sight, shaped as northerly a course as the wind would allow him, towards that part of the Archipelago where the islands cluster the thickest, that, among their many intricate and dangerous channels, well known to him and his crew, he might have a greater chance of avoiding his enemies; and would be certain to find friends ready to assist him. The two misticos, not being able to look up so well to the gale, had to run before it till it moderated, and they then hauled up in the same direction. From their rig and appearance being that of the ordinary craft of the Mediterranean, they ran less risk of recognition than the brig, or of detection, from being able to conceal themselves in any nook or bay, or behind any reef which might offer itself, so that an enemy might pass close to them, without their being seen. The gale continued blowing with undiminished fury till daylight, when it gave signs of abating. It had been the means of saving Zappa and his comrades, and he wished it to continue rather longer to carry him entirely clear of his pursuers. Men with sharp eyes were sent aloft to look out on every side, to discover if any vessels were in sight. They reported one hull down in the northern board, the heads of her topsails only seen, which was, doubtless, the _Ypsilante_, and two on the larboard quarter, which seemed like the two misticos. As the sun rose, his beams seemed to calm the rage of the tempest, the wind fell, the clouds dispersed, and the sea went down, and Zappa no longer felt the anxiety he had at first experienced for the fate of his vessel. He now mustered his crew, and found that some of his bravest and best men had fallen when attempting to defend the fort against the first attack of the English; the remainder promised to stand by him as long as the _Sea Hawk_ floated on the waves. Every arrangement which circumstances would admit of being made for the future, he dismissed all but the necessary watch on deck, to take the rest they so much needed. Among those who appeared was Paolo. He hitherto had had no time to speak to him--he now summoned him to his side. "What," he exclaimed, "are you not yet weary of a rover's life, that you return again to the _Sea Hawk_--or did you fear a pirate's fate, if you had remained on shore?" The Italian looked conscience-stricken and miserable. He could not meet the glance of the pirate's eye; he dared not confess what he had done; and yet he knew it must be instantly discovered. "Could I leave my sister?" he asked. "Could I leave one whom I love dearer than life itself to perish amid the raging fight, when my arm might save her? Do you suppose that my eye is so dull, my heart so callous, that I could behold the rare beauty which almost won your affections from her who had sacrificed all to you, and yet feel no impression? Know, that he whom you have treated as a tyrant does his slave, whom you have scorned and deceived, has a heart capable of burning with a passion far more intense, far brighter, far purer, and more enduring than the flickering flame which yours can alone nourish." "What is this rhapsody about?" exclaimed Zappa, thinking that Paolo had gone mad. "When you go below, you will discover," answered the Italian, and walked to the other side of the deck. When Ada Garden came to her senses, she found herself in the cabin of the _Sea Hawk_, and Nina bending over her, and applying such restoratives as she had at command. She was soon sufficiently recovered to explain to her astonished friend the means by which she had come there. "And Paolo could have done this. He who professed to be ready to die for you, to tear you from the very arms of your friends, when they were on the point of recovering you. Alas! my unhappy brother--his mind must have forsaken him." "Whatever the cause, I have sorely suffered, and I have no one to trust to now but you, Nina. Through you alone can I now hope to be restored to my friends." As Ada was speaking, the pirate chief entered the cabin. He started back, on seeing her, and an angry frown came over his brow. "What! and my suspicions are true," he exclaimed, in a voice of passion. "And that mad youth has ventured to bring you on board. You, lady, who have been the cause of the disaster we have suffered, who have already so nearly proved my destruction." He ground his teeth as he spoke, and the two defenceless girls saw that he was working himself up to the same awful pitch of fury to which he had given way when he so barbarously wounded Nina. "But where is this wretched youth?" he continued. "Here, Momolo-- Balbo," calling to some of his officers, "seize Signor Paolo, and drag him here. Take care that he does not leap overboard to avoid you. He has performed an act, by which he has well merited death, and he knows his guilt is discovered." While those he spoke to were absent obeying his orders, he stood at the door of the cabin, grasping his sword, as if he meditated a dire and speedy vengeance. Nina sprung towards him and clasped his arm. "Oh! you will not injure him--you will not--you cannot kill my brother! He has committed a great fault--but his death will not remedy it. Say, for my sake--say, for her sake--for she wishes not his destruction--you will forgive him?" While Nina was thus pleading for her brother, he was brought in by four of the crew, who, supposing that he had been found guilty of treachery-- the only crime in a pirate's eye--stood over him with their drawn daggers in their hands, to execute, at the moment, the chief's commands. Zappa shook her off without answering her. "So, signor, you have dared to drag hither the glittering bait which has already allured a host of enemies to attack us; and while I would have left her as their prize, and escaped in safety from what you have done, they will still continue their pursuit, nor desist till they have destroyed us all. From the number of men engaged in the attack, there must, doubtless, be many ships in chase of us, whereas, had you not committed this mad act, we might have gone our way unmolested. Such is your crime and its consequences; and if I deliver you up to the crew, and explain what you have done, they will save me the trouble of being your executioner. Take him on deck," he said, in Romaic, to the men who held Paolo. "I will follow shortly; and you may, meantime, make preparations to deal with a traitor." The pirates were dragging the miserable man away, when Ada, who though she knew not the words which were used, comprehended their meaning, sprang from her seat and grasped Paolo's arm, to prevent his being carried off. "Stay," she cried, appealing to Zappa. "Do not condemn this unhappy man to death. Towards me he has acted the most cruel part--but I forgive him. For your own sake, I implore you to do so likewise, for the sake of that sweet girl. Oh! do not commit so black a crime. It will be a murder, for he had no intention of injuring you or your followers. Blinded by an unhappy passion for me, he has done this, fancying that the man to whom I was to be united is no more; and has been led on in the vain hope of one day possessing me, and winning the worthless love I should have to give. Let me now swear that nothing shall ever induce me to become his--and let it be part of his punishment that he knows what he has done is in vain; and if, by any means, I can remedy the evil he has committed, I will do so, if you will allow him to live." "A lady who pleads so energetically should have her prayers granted," said the pirate, with a tone of irony. "But let him beware how he behaves--unhand him," he said to the men, in their own tongue. "These ladies have pleaded for the prisoner, and are answerable for his conduct. And tow, signora," he said, in a blander tone, addressing himself to Ada, "by what means do you propose to remedy the fault of that madman?" Ada was silent for some minutes, during which the pirate stood regarding her attentively. "It is fitter for you to point out the means by which I can serve you, than for me to propose them," she at length replied. "Indeed, I can do nothing till I am restored to my friends; I am sure that any ransom you may propose, which they have the power to pay, they will gladly give for my liberty." "It is a pity that was not thought of before; but, are you aware, lady, that it is usual to secure the ransom before the prisoner is restored?" observed Zappa. "Touch then at one of the Ionian Islands, where there are English authorities, and let me write letters in different directions, and before long, I doubt not, the money will be raised, and will be deposited wherever you desire. If you will allow me to go on shore, I will promise to do my very utmost to place the money in your hands, and will send word to the British cruiser, now in search of this ship, that I am in safety; and will at the same time exert all the influence I may possess with my friends to obtain your pardon, should you be captured. This I promise to do most faithfully." "Oh, listen to her!" exclaimed Nina, springing towards the pirate, and seizing his hands. "Land her in safety and honour among her own people, and she will pay you the money if you demand it, and I--I will be responsible that she does so with my life--but why demand it? you have already more wealth than you require on board this vessel, and no rest nor safety can you expect, or hope to find, while you follow your present pursuits; your hand against every man, and the hand of every man against you,"--(Nina knew not that she was quoting the words of the sacred book to describe her husband)--"but oh, my husband, remember that there is a land across the narrow Adriatic, where your deeds are unknown, and where we may henceforth live unsuspected in tranquillity, and with such happiness as we can enjoy--that land, the land of my birth--there, in the home which I deserted for your sake, you will be secure; there I will watch over you, will tend you, will strive to make you forget the past in the contentment of the present; and should you be discovered, should any one attempt to tear you from me, I will give my life with joy for yours. Oh say that you will do this--say you will abandon the evil course you are leading, and you will make my heart beat lighter than it has done for many a day, and bless the words you utter." The pirate was somewhat softened. "Nina," he said, looking at her with a glance of more affection than she had for a long time seen, "you know not what you ask me to do. You know not the difficulty, the almost impossibility of accomplishing what you wish. Even were I seized with the humour to turn virtuous, I cannot abandon my vessel and my crew; they are bound to me and I to them; and were I to quit them, they would be captured, to a certainty, and in just revenge for my desertion, they would inform all they met of my retreat. If I proposed to leave them they would not let me, and from that instant I should lose all my authority. And then think, should I even succeed in commencing the existence you propose, how is it likely to suit one, accustomed from his earliest days to the dissipation of cities, or the wild excitement of a rover's life--how should I, who have so long commanded a band of men, regardless of all laws but those I have framed, and yet obedient to me as children, submit to the dull, plodding business of a country farmer engaged in superintending bumpkins in their daily toil? No, Nina, you must not expect it; I feel it cannot be." He was silent, and seemed lost in thought. His lips moved, but his words were almost inaudible. "The vision was too bright and beautiful ever to be realised," he murmured. "Alas, alas, I have for ever cut myself off from such happiness--and that fond girl too--oh, it is a cruel fate for her to be linked for ever to one so lost. Yet it might be done. I might again seek out the speronara of the Sicilian Alessandro, and he should land us on some part of the coast I would select, nor should he know whither we went. Ah--but is he to be trusted? Would he not, if he saw our wealth, be tempted to destroy us for the sake of possessing himself of it?-- would he not, even if we concealed it ever so carefully, or even had it not, suspect that we had it, and equally attempt our destruction? Who is to be trusted? In whom can I, especially, of all men, dare to confide? Alas! on no one. Every one of my fellow men, except the ruffians who surround me, and a few like them, would glory in betraying me. I might, it is true, find some stranger bound for the Italian coast, and with a well-invented tale about the vessel I had quitted, persuade them to carry me whither I may determine to go." "Nina, I will think about it," he said, aloud. "I would please you if I could; but though my power to do evil has been great, alas! the means I possess of doing good are small indeed." "Oh, do more than think of it," exclaimed Nina, looking up imploringly in his face. "Resolve with your determined will to execute what you think of--resolve to overcome all difficulties--to be daunted by no dangers, and she and I will bless you to our dying day, and our prayers will ascend to heaven to implore forgiveness for the crimes which now weigh down your soul and prevent you from perceiving clearly where true peace and happiness can alone be found." "Enough, Nina, enough, or you will make me act the woman," exclaimed Zappa, releasing his hands from her grasp, and rushing on deck, where his voice was heard, immediately after, issuing some orders in his usual firm and loud tones. "You will conquer, my sweet Nina; you will persuade him to abandon a pirate's life, and happiness may yet be in store for you," said Ada, kissing the cheek of her friend, who sat pale and trembling on the couch by her side. Nina shook her head sorrowfully. "Alas!" she replied, "you know not the wayward spirit which possesses him, or you would not speak to me of hope." _ |
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